William Edward Van Poyck was executed by the state of Florida on June 12, 2013. William was pronounced dead at 7:24 pm EDT, inside the execution chamber at the Florida State Penitentiary in Raiford, Florida. William was 58 years of age. He was executed for the murder of 49-year-old Correctional Officer and decorated Vietnam veteran Fred Griffis on June 24, 1987, during a prison transport in West Palm Beach, Florida. William’s accomplice Frank Valdes was beaten to death in prison.

William was the son of an Eastern Airlines executive, who was frequently away on business trips. His mother died when he was young. During his childhood, he spent time at a boys home, where he was beaten and witnesses the sexual abuse of other boys. He was also abused by his housekeeper and step-mother. He had three previous convictions, two for robbery and one for burglary.

Please pray for peace and healing for the family of Fred Griffis. Please pray for the family of William.